Work Truly (Poem)

I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day. The night cometh, when no man can work. —St. John ix. 4, R.V.

Work while 'tis called the day; for when the nightHas cast its shadow o'er the earth, no manCan do correctly what requires the light:He thus subverts the law of nature's plan.But not the quantity of work we do,Nor yet the hours in weary toil we spend,For others' seeming good, will be deemed true,If toward self-praise our toiling footsteps tend.

For 'tis the Spirit that must e'er controlOur actions and intentions; they must beFree from all selfishness. The very soulWithin must guide the work in purity.The Father watches with All-seeing eye:And will reprove or truly justify.

You need not go out of your track to find ways of usefulness. God's work will be best done by a right performance of every day duties.—Rev. A. Oxenden, D. D.

Skill to do comes of doing, knowledge comes by eyes always open, and working hands, and there is no knowledge that is not power.